2  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Knave  \Knave\,  n.  [OE.,  boy,  servant,  knave,  AS  cnafa  boy, 
  youth;  cf  AS  cnapa  boy,  youth,  D.  kna?p,  G.  knabe  boy, 
  knappe  esquire,  Icel.  knapi,  Sw  knape  esquire,  kn["a]fvel 
  knave.] 
  1.  A  boy;  especially,  a  boy  servant.  [Obs.]  --Wyclif. 
  Chaucer. 
 
  O  murderous  slumber,  Lay'st  thou  thy  leaden  mace 
  upon  my  boy  That  plays  thee  music  ?  Gentle  knave, 
  good  night.  --Shak. 
 
  2.  Any  male  servant;  a  menial.  [Obs.]  --Chaucer. 
 
  He's  but  Fortune's  knave,  A  minister  of  her  will 
  --Shak. 
 
  3.  A  tricky,  deceitful  fellow;  a  dishonest  person;  a  rogue;  a 
  villain.  ``A  pair  of  crafty  knaves.''  --Shak. 
 
  In  defiance  of  demonstration,  knaves  will  continue 
  to  proselyte  fools.  --Ames. 
 
  Note:  ``How  many  serving  lads  must  have  been  unfaithful  and 
  dishonest  before  knave  -which  meant  at  first  no  more 
  than  boy  --  acquired  the  meaning  which  it  has  now  !'' 
  --Trench. 
 
  4.  A  playing  card  marked  with  the  figure  of  a  servant  or 
  soldier;  a  jack. 
 
  {Knave  child},  a  male  child.  [Obs.]  --Chaucer. 
 
  Syn:  Villain;  cheat;  rascal;  rogue;  scoundrel;  miscreant. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  knave 
  n  1:  a  deceitful  and  unreliable  scoundrel  [syn:  {rogue},  {rascal}, 
  {rapscallion},  {scalawag},  {scallywag},  {varlet}] 
  2:  one  of  four  cards  in  a  deck  bearing  a  picture  of  a  young 
  prince  [syn:  {jack}] 

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